THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay Border Cats might have been better off if the rains had kept falling.
Starter Connor Centala was roughed up for four runs over four innings and his replacement, John Sakowski, had an even rougher outing, surrendering six runs on nine hits over three innings as the Cats dropped their ninth straight, an 11-4 loss to the visiting Rochester Honkers.
Ryan Casper drove in three runs on three hits, collecting his seventh double of the season to pace Rochester’s 18-hit attack.
Reed Hjelle crossed the plate three times, while Michael Michalek was 4-for-5 with an RBI.
The Border Cats trailed 4-0 after the Honkers (11-8) batted in the fourth, but cut their deficit in half in the bottom half of the inning, catcher Gunner Hellstrom doubling home a pair of runs off Rochester starter Drew Slade.
The elation was short-lived.
Derek Scott capped a four-run inning in the fifth, singling home two more runs and Rochester jumped in front 8-2, putting the game out of reach.
Mark Vierling had a pair of RBI for Thunder Bay (4-15), going 2-for-5 on the night.
The last-place Cats pounded out 11 hits against a quartet of Honkers pitchers.
Slade captured the win, while Centala was handed the loss.
The two teams wrap up their set on Sunday after noon, with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 p.m.